Revision as of 20:08, 6 September 2007

Ohio River - Marietta

Marietta[1] is a city in Southeast Ohio. It is located at the confluence of the Muskingum River and Ohio River. Founded in 1788 it is the oldest city in Ohio. From the beginning it was one of Ohio's more important Ohio River ports. It is adjacent to part of the Wayne National Forest.

Contents

Understand

Marietta, the county seat of Washington County, is the first organized settlement in the Northwest Territory. A small town that has preserved its smalltown charm by having been left off of the rail lines and having had no connection to a highway until 1967. Since the construction of Route 7 and the new bridge across the river, Marietta has been on a slow path to resurrection. It has grown to extend from the Ohio Riverfront to the intersection of Interstate 77. The historic downtown has went through several renovation phases, the most recent streetscape program has been the crowning touch. The town derives it's name from Marie Antoinette, the French Queen, who supported the American Revolution. It is now one of the Ohio Valley and Southeastern Ohio's favorite destinations.

Get in

Interstate 77 connects Marietta with central Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Or by boat, at the Ohio Riverfront. It is located on the State line with West Virginia. The Ohio River separates the two states. Directly across the river bridge on Ohio Route 6 is Williamstown. Parkersburg, West Virginia is a short distance south with access to I-77.

The nearest airport is the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport, route 31 off route 2 N, +1 304 464-5113, [2]. On weekdays, US Airways has four daily flights to and from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Get around

Marietta is a small town on the banks of the Ohio River. The historic downtown is easy to walk, except everything is downhill to the river. There is a public boat ramp. Exploring the river with a guide should not be too difficult to find.

See

Ohio River Sternwheeler

Ohio River Museum, 601 Front St.

Do

Ohio River Sternwheel Festival, [3]]. Ohio River Levee on the corner of Front and Greene Streets, downtown, always the weekend after Labor Day. Sat. 7:30P/1OP. "Harry J. Robinson" Fireworks. They anchor barges in the middle of the Ohio River and produce one of Ohio's outstanding fireworks displays, from the barges, reflected in the water, with illumination of the bridges, by fireworks. Quite a display. Excellent event!

Buy

Fenton Art Glass,[5] the largest manufacturer of handmade colored glass in the United States, has a factory store accross the river in Williamstown, WV. and at 104 Front Street in downtown Marietta . Each piece of glass is an artistic creation by skilled glassworkers and decorators.

Eat

Napolis Pizza Excellent Subs 335 Pike St. +1 740 423-1111

Drink

Marietta Brewing Company On front St. Good brews and food. Live entertainment on the weekends.

Sleep

The Lafayette Hotel, [[8]]. Located at the confluence of the Muskingham and Ohio Rivers, is the focal point of the downtown district. The hotel, is on the National Register of Historic Places, and was cited "Best of Ohio" in Ohio Magazine (January 2004), for its spectacular view and top-notch service.